Slight off this weekend

goofygrin · Sep 28, 2009, 09:23 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojI7afg8klA

(It might be still processing).

At least I learned from the mistake and didn't do it again the next session!

This is at Eagle's Canyon outside of Dallas.

Specs:
Long Course Length: 2.5 miles
Short Course Length: 1.7 miles
Track Width: 40 feet, 50 feet on grid
Number of Turns: 11
Number of Straights: 6
Longest Straight: 2,000 feet
Elevation Change: 70 feet
Primary Run Direction: Counter-clockwise

Track Record (Automobile): Anders Krohn, 4/10/2009: 1:39.993
Track Record (Motorcycle): Ty Howard, 9/28/2008: 1:46.236

Track Map:

**macPSU** · Sep 28, 2009, 09:33 AM

So how'd the car hold up to that little beating it took?

goofygrin · Sep 28, 2009, 09:40 AM

broke a fog light mounting tab (now it matches the other side, which was already broken from punting a cone at 60mph at an autocross), popped the bumper off (just pushed back it in), the mesh in front of the intercooler popped off it's tabs and needs pushed back on.

Other than that, everything is fine. Some grass and small trees on the undercarriage...

Even my Porsche air ducts stayed on and they are just held on with two zip ties.

Ludikraut · Sep 28, 2009, 10:49 AM

Looks like a cool track. Bummer about the off. I think if you'd have stayed in it a hair longer, you'd have been able to stay on the 'fairway' (short grass) instead of ending up in the rough.

l8r)

Robevo RS · Sep 28, 2009, 11:57 AM

thanks for sharing

Loser · Sep 28, 2009, 12:13 PM

Woah, sounded kinda rough out there. At least your damage wasn't as bad as mine. Did your alignment check out fine?

http://forums.evolutionm.net/7072049-post10.html

goofygrin · Sep 28, 2009, 12:31 PM

Yowzers!

I've not had a chance to check alignment. I did another session after the off on Saturday and an autocross yesterday and burned through a tank of gas with no glaring issues...

Evo8 · Sep 28, 2009, 04:02 PM

Good driving. Seems like you did a right thing when going off. Even though it seems it could have been corrected, you did the right thing by the book

delongedoug · Sep 28, 2009, 06:10 PM

I've only done a few track days, so correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you not supposed to hop back on the track after an off? Especially one like that.

goofygrin · Sep 28, 2009, 06:15 PM

You shouldn't hang out in the grass... good way to start a fire (I've seen it once).

I've always been told to watch traffic and get back on the track, then get around the track and pull off into the pits to get checked out. There were only 10-15 cars on a 2.5 mile track, so we were spaced out pretty wide.

The corner workers were great, black flagged me all the way around the track, letting me know that I was to come in (as if I didn't know

)

Robevo RS · Sep 28, 2009, 06:37 PM

Yes, always stay on the tarmac with the hot car, or go back as soon as you can... The situation can fire up very easily, if you don't.

denver · Sep 28, 2009, 08:11 PM

WOW!!! I didnt know you went that far off!!! Nice job avoiding the pile of rock though!!!!

I had a similar off out at MSR the first time.... I went out.... and I did the same thing... YEAH i probably could have some what recovered, but its much safer to go straight off the track then risking saving it, most of the time if you fail to correct the error the results are a lot worse then some grass and banged up body parts. Nice Job!

By the way, this track is VERY technical and a lot of fun if you are near the area and can come down to a local track day do it! A mildly modified evo can easily hit speeds over 135mph on the back straight, which end with a sharp 90* off camber up hill blind left hand corner.... into a sharp downhill off camber 90* right hand corner.... the track has 70ft of elevation change, with some very technical transitions. Lots of fun!

goofygrin · Sep 28, 2009, 08:21 PM

I'm not sure how you can hit 135. I was hitting 115 at the highest. I think the 135 was either a misread speedo or a speedo that was off due to shorter tires.

KevinD · Sep 28, 2009, 09:44 PM

top of 4 th at 8400rpm on the back straight. whatever that is.. a few times i tried 5th but it wasn't worth it, 2 more shifts wasn't any faster.

TxEvo8 · Sep 29, 2009, 06:00 AM

I hit 135 once in February, but the brake fluid was done immediately after that. I was only approaching 130 this past weekend, trying to avoid loosing my brakes. On the last session though, the pedal was feeling a little spongy.